御仏前
ごぶつぜん
noun
before the Buddha; Buddhist altar offering; condolence gift inscription (from the 49th day)
1.
before the Buddha; offering placed before a Buddhist altar; condolence gift so inscribed
Literally "before the honored Buddha." Refers to the space before a Buddhist altar and to offerings placed there, and is the standard inscription written on the envelope of a condolence money gift (香典) given at Buddhist memorial services from the 49th-day rite (四十九日) onward, once the deceased is regarded as having become a Buddha.
御仏前にお花を供える。
Offer flowers before the Buddha.
法要に「御仏前」と書いた香典を持って行った。
I brought condolence money marked "gobutsuzen" to the memorial service.
四十九日を過ぎたら、表書きは「御霊前」ではなく「御仏前」を使う。
After the 49th day has passed, use "gobutsuzen" rather than "goreizen" on the envelope.
Formed from the honorific prefix 御 + 仏前 (before the Buddha). Written on the outside of condolence envelopes.
USAGE:
The choice of inscription depends on timing. Before the 49th-day rite the soul is not yet a Buddha, so 御霊前 (before the spirit) is used; from the 49th day onward 御仏前 is correct. Sect differences exist, so when unsure 御霊前 is the safer default at a wake or funeral.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 御霊前: before the spirit — used up to and including the funeral and wake, before the 49th day.
- 御香典: condolence money — the general term for the gift itself, regardless of inscription.